Melville W. Brown(1887-1938)
- Director
- Writer
- Actor
Silent screen pioneer Melville Walker Brown was born on March 10, 1887,
to John and Fannie Brown of Portland, Oregon. His father was originally
from Maine and his mother a native of Massachusetts. John Brown was a
stenographer whose income was such that he was able to employ a
domestic servant.
Melville W. Brown was screenwriter, actor and director who probably
began his show business career with the Baker Stock company in Spokane,
Washington, where he collected tickets at the door and played juvenile
roles on stage. He would later work for a stock company headed by
Charles Chaplin and on a number of his
later films, including
A Dog's Life (1917) and
Shoulder Arms (1918).
Melville Walker Brown died as a result of a heart attack on January 31,
1938 in Los Angeles. His wife Margaret and daughter Delores were not
mentioned in obituaries that appeared in newspapers available to this
writer.
Nevada State Journal 7 Sep 1929, Hartford, Courant, February 1, 1938,
Chicago Tribune, February 1, 1938, 1900 & 1930 US Census.
to John and Fannie Brown of Portland, Oregon. His father was originally
from Maine and his mother a native of Massachusetts. John Brown was a
stenographer whose income was such that he was able to employ a
domestic servant.
Melville W. Brown was screenwriter, actor and director who probably
began his show business career with the Baker Stock company in Spokane,
Washington, where he collected tickets at the door and played juvenile
roles on stage. He would later work for a stock company headed by
Charles Chaplin and on a number of his
later films, including
A Dog's Life (1917) and
Shoulder Arms (1918).
Melville Walker Brown died as a result of a heart attack on January 31,
1938 in Los Angeles. His wife Margaret and daughter Delores were not
mentioned in obituaries that appeared in newspapers available to this
writer.
Nevada State Journal 7 Sep 1929, Hartford, Courant, February 1, 1938,
Chicago Tribune, February 1, 1938, 1900 & 1930 US Census.